Black and white photograph of the Salvation Army Hostel, 317 Robert, St. Paul, ca. 1920.

Salvation Army Hostel, St. Paul

Salvation Army Hostel, 317 Robert, St. Paul, ca. 1920. Photographed by Golling Studio.

Black and white photograph of Red Cross worker Julia Gray, ca. 1919.

Red Cross worker Julia Gray

Red Cross worker Julia Gray, ca. 1919.

Black and white photograph of YMCA worker Julia Swenson holding a grenade, ca. 1919. Photographer unknown.

YMCA worker Julia Swenson

YMCA worker Julia Swenson holding a grenade, ca. 1919. Photographer unknown.

Black and white group photograph taken outside a Red Cross hut by Red Cross worker Julia Gray, 1919.

Red Cross workers

Group photograph taken outside a Red Cross hut by Red Cross worker Julia Gray, 1919.

YMCA illustration from the Daily Journal (St. Cloud), October 12, 1918.

YMCA illustration

An illustration in the St. Cloud Daily Journal Press demonstrates the need for welfare services. The illustration shows a mother waiting anxiously at home while her son serves on the Western Front. They are linked by the YMCA. The St. Cloud Daily Journal Press, 27, No. 96, October 12, 1918.

Welfare Work During World War I

During World War I, branches of the Red Cross, YMCA & YWCA, and Salvation Army from across the U.S. collaborated with the Army and Navy to provide aid to service members. The work of Minnesotan volunteers not only maintained morale at the front but also provided a bridge of support between those overseas and their loved ones back home.

Color image of a Red Cross Flag carried by Theresa Ericksen to the Philippines during the Spanish–American War and to France during World War I.

Red Cross Flag carried by Theresa Ericksen

Red Cross Flag carried by Theresa Ericksen to the Philippines during the Spanish–American War and to France during World War I.

Black and white photograph of Theresa Ericksen (center) receiving a service medal on November 14, 1936.

Theresa Ericksen (center) receiving a service medal

Theresa Ericksen (center) receiving a service medal on November 14, 1936.

Black and white photograph of Theresa Ericksen at the Third Infantry Veterans Association reunion at Fort Snelling on October 12, 1936.

Theresa Ericksen at the Third Infantry Veterans Association reunion

Theresa Ericksen at the Third Infantry Veterans Association reunion at Fort Snelling on October 12, 1936.

Black and white photograph of Theresa Ericksen promoting Christmas Seals in the battle against tuberculosis, ca. 1924.

Theresa Ericksen promoting Christmas Seals

Theresa Ericksen promoting Christmas Seals in the battle against tuberculosis, ca. 1924.

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